Coming in 2012: On-bill financing
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Paying for energy efficiency improvements is about to get a whole lot easier with the introduction of on-bill financing in New York State. If you are a home or business owner, paying the upfront cost of efficiency measures can be a major barrier, no matter how attractive the return-on-investment from energy savings is. With on-bill financing, which was passed into law by the Power NY Act of 2011, you will be able to pay for upgrades directly through a surcharge on your monthly utility bill. Better yet, the surcharge has to be lower than your energy savings, so your bills go down from the start. And if you move, the surcharges stay with the property’s utility bill, not with you.
NYSERDA is currently developing the on-bill financing program, which will available to the public in 2012. In the meantime, you can access the NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY programs for audits and financing.
Want to know more? Click here for the full story.
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, Legislation | Permalink
New York’s Grid is Getting Smarter
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
For many New Yorkers, thoughts about the electricity grid don’t extend much further than their light switches. This may change soon, however, as major upgrades to the grid are planned that will lower electricity bills and improve reliability.
Taken together, these upgraded technologies are known as the smart grid. In August, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the non-profit organization that manages New York’s electricity grid and administers the state’s wholesale electricity markets, unveiled a $74 million initiative to upgrade New York’s electricity grid with new smart grid technologies.
Backed by more than $37 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, these technologies will improve the efficiency of the state’s bulk transmission system and improve grid operators’ visualization capabilities and situational awareness. NYISO also held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $35.5 million primary power control center in Rensselaer County.
What does it all mean?
New Yorkers will save money. New capacitor banks will reduce electricity costs in New York State approximately $9 million per year by reducing the amount of electricity that is lost when carried over long distances on the bulk transmission system. All told, the upgrades will provide New York with approximately $190 million in annual savings.
Power reliability will improve. New phaser measurement units will improve NYISO’s ability to receive, process and monitor changing conditions, which it does on a moment-to-moment basis, 24 hours per day. Ultimately, NYISO hopes to integrate its smart grid with others across the Northeast and Canada, which could help avoid potential outages, such as the 2003 blackout.
Renewable energy will get a boost. The smart grid upgrades and new power control center will aid the integration of renewable energy supplies, such as solar and wind, into the power supply.
To learn more, visit the NYISO website, read its press release or check out the NYS Smart Grid Consortium overview.
Posted in Cleantech, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Legislation, Sustainability, Technology | Permalink
New Energy Code Changes are in Effect July 1, 2010: Is Your Building Prepared?
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010| June 17, 2010 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
New energy efficiency legislation that will drastically impact your building is fast approaching and you don’t want to be caught unprepared. Join us for an interactive session with leaders in the field of energy efficiency. Learn how you can take advantage of these required changes, and benefit from cost saving measures. You will also hear about all of the potential funding and financing opportunities available to help with project costs.
June 17, 2010, 6:00-8:00pm,
followed by networking a reception
Sony Wonder Technology Lab Auditorium
550 Madison Ave (at 56th St.)
PANELISTS
Representative from the City of New York: NYC Green Building Codes
Kate Grossman, Greenwich Energy Solutions: Energy Audits and Qualifying Buildings
Brett Greenberg, Bovis Lend Lease: Implementing Energy Efficiency Measures
David Gibson, Lutron: Advanced Lighting Technologies
Cliff Schorer, Greenwich Energy Solutions: Financing Options
Diana Pangestu, Solar One: NYSERDA Incentives and Case Study
Seminar Cost: $25
To register, click on the following link:
Posted in Cleantech, Economy, Energy, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Legislation, New York City, NYSERDA, Products, Solar One, Solar One Events, Sustainability, Technology | Permalink
Green Within Reach
Thursday, April 1st, 2010| April 15, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 11:00 am |
The Greener Greater Buildings Plan, New York City’s green building legislation, was passed in December 9, 2009. Solar One, in partnership with NYSERDA, the City of New York, the Alliance for Downtown New York, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the New York Building Congress, bring to you the first of a series of workshops to better explain this legislation to the audience it affects – commercial building owners and managers. In addition to legislation, we will present an overview of the NYSERDA incentives available to commercial buildings that will help offset the costs for energy efficiency upgrades.
Green Within Reach, hosted by the Alliance for Downtown New York, will take place on April 15 from 8:00-11:00am at The New York Academy of Sciences. While we expect a large amount of interest, we especially invite those who are decision-makers over commercial buildings in the downtown area to attend.
The New York Academy of Sciences
Seven World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Event will feature presentations by NYSERDA and the City of New York. Opening remarks by Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert M. LiMandri.
Agenda
8:00am Breakfast & Networking
8:30am Welcome & Introductions
9:00am Program Begins
10:30am Q&A
EVENT IS FREE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
RSVP here by April 12.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Hewitt at ehewitt@downtownny.com .
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Housing, Legislation, New York City, NYSERDA, Solar One Events | Permalink
THIS WEEKEND! Citysol 2009
Monday, July 6th, 2009
On July 10-12, 2009, Citysol, a celebration of urban sustainability and creativity in a mini music and arts festival, returns to Solar One. And what a time we shall have! (more…)
Posted in Art, Citysol, Design, Food, I Heart PV, Legislation, Music, New York City, Solar One, Sustainability | Permalink
